I always carry a Zippo lighter and a Swiss army knife in my backpack for two reasons. Great companies make them, and they are extremely reliable in any situation. The Zippo lighter was made in 1933 and had an unconditional lifetime guarantee. They are made by a company in Pennsylvania that people from around the world rely on. Many collect Zippo lighters like works of art.
Figure 1 “Photo” The Zippo Rugged Lantern. A great rechargeable, waterproof LED lantern.
When I found out that Zippo was manufacturing a new Rugged Lantern, I had to try it out for myself! This LED Rugged Lantern is very well thought out. It includes the following features, 3 Power levels (high, medium and low) in addition to a flashing SOS. The rechargeable lithium ion battery comes with both a 12-volt AC and a DC power charger. Runtime on a full charge is between 59 hours on low and 12 hours on high. It reports an impressive 220 lumen using a soft glow diffuser bulb.
The lantern can withstand drops from up to 5 feet. It has stainless steel tubes and rubber corners on each side. A flexible/detachable carry handle makes it convenient to hang on a branch or hook.
It floats in water and can be completely submerged for 30 minutes at a depth of 1 meter. Leaving this lantern outside in the rain all night would not be a problem.
Now here is where it gets great for individuals with disabilities like me or families with young children or the elderly. The LED Rugged Lantern uses no fuel oil. There is nothing to fill, or spill, and it is rechargeable. It does not get hot; it will not burn you, or give off carbon monoxide. With limited dexterity, I appreciate that it has only one button to operate. Simply by pushing the button, it’s easy to select a setting of high, medium or low quickly, even in the dark.
This lantern puts out a great deal of light and would be an essential item to buy for any home emergency supply preparations or weekend camping trips. It is easy to use, rugged, dependable, and safe. I think it is one of the best lighting products on the market that I have seen in a long time. Way to go Zippo!
